Connections Merida and Sarasota

Sarasota has an established relationship with Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, directly across the Gulf of Mexico. The two cities have conducted numerous exchanges and desire to increase travel and economic links among the regions.



At present there is no direct air or sea connection between the two regions. A connecting flight to Houston or Miami is required and there is no sea connection.


A direct connection between Yucatan and the Sarasota / Manatee / Tampa / Clearwater metro area could be very successful. The State of Yucatan including Merida has over 2 million people, and Cancun is nearby. Tampa / Clearwater / Sarasota / Manatee metros have nearly 4 million people.

Population____Metro Area_
__
2,097,000____Yucatan including Merida

3,142,663___  Tampa Clearwater Metro 
   821,473___  Sarasota Manatee Metro 

3,964,136___  Sarasota / Manatee / Tampa / Clearwater 

Yucatán, the Mexican state, is known for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and Mayan ruins. Famed Chichén Itzá encompasses a massive pyramid, ball court and stone temples. Other Mayan sites include Ek Balam, noted for well preserved sculptures, and Uxmal, with its intricate carved facades. Yucatán’s capital and largest city, Mérida, has a Spanish colonial history reflected in buildings such as 16th-century Mérida Cathedral.

Population: 2.097 million (2015)

GDP: US$ 9,191,180.625 th
Sarasota metropolitan area is a metropolitan area located in Southwest Florida. The metropolitan area is defined by the Office of Management and Budget as the North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton metropolitan statistical area as a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) consisting of Manatee County and Sarasota County.[1] The largest cities in the MSA are North Port and Sarasota (both in Sarasota County) and Bradenton (in Manatee County). At the 2010 Census, the MSA had a population of 702,281. The Census Bureau estimates that its population was 821,573 in 2018.

Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical AreaEdit

The population of the Tampa Bay MSA is estimated at 3,142,663 people as of 2018.
_____________________

 Action Plan

Sarasota Sister Cities Economic Development will contact air and sea providers in an effort to find a carrier who would establish service.



Sarasota City Economic Development

   Office of Economic Development

Pri

1782 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Sarasota, FL 34234


The Office of Economic Development promotes Citywide economic development through projects and initiatives, including those related to the Newtown Community Redevelopment Area, the St. Armand's Business Improvement District, the Downtown Business Improvement District, and the commercial districts of the City including Southside Village, the North Trail Cultural District, and greater Downtown including Burns Square, Rosemary, Towles Court, Fruitville Corridor, and the Payne Park-Government district. 

ST. ARMAND'S BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTDOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTNEWTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA

DEVELOPMENT REPORTING
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VISIT OUR INTERACTIVE MAP to explore development in the City
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
 PUBLIC/PRIVATE PROJECTSPLACEMAKING and CONNECTIVITY
Marian Anderson Place redevelopmentFruitville Road Redesign
St. Armand's Circle Public RestroomsN. Palm Avenue Improvements
Newtown Banking Facility2nd and 4th Street Bikeways 
Land AssemblageFredd Atkins Park
Janie's Garden Commercial Spaces FOR LEASEMain Street Improvements

Lemon Avenue Improvements
INCENTIVES and INVESTMENTS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Newtown Business Assistance Grant ProgramCEO (Community Entrepreneur Opportunity) 
Opportunity Zones Newtown Technical Skills Initiative
Miss Susie's Newtown Neighborhood KitchenNewtown Vocational Facility (in development)
EDAVTE (Econ. Dev. Ad Valorem Tax Exemption)HERT: Housing as an Economic Redevelopment Tool
HUB Zone and Enterprise ZoneNewtown Business Org/Marketing (in development)
 SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, CULTURALPLANNING FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY 
Title Repair Program "No Place Like Home"Newtown Community Redevelopment Plans
Historic Newtown: Projects, Programs, & PossibilitiesNorth Tamiami Trail
Newtown Historic Property Renovation ProgramDowntown Master Plan 2020

 CONTACT OUR TEAM
Steven StancelGeneral ManagerSteven.Stancel@SarasotaFL.gov941-316-8412
Onya BatesRedevelopment ManagerOnya.Bates@SarasotaFL.gov941-926-6149 
Susan DoddRedevelopment ManagerSusan.Dodd@SarasotaFL.gov941-926-6134
Rowena Elliott Redevelopment SpecialistRowena.Elliott@SarasotaFL.gov941-926-6003
John MoranOperations Manager, D.I.D. John.Moran@SarasotaFL.gov941-724-5578
Brandy Wiesner Operations Manager, B.I.D. Brandy.Wiesner@SarasotaFL.gov941-266-7599
 Jackie GiovannoneAdministrative Specialist   Jaclyn.Giovannone@SarasotaFL.gov 941-365-2200 



Opportunity Zones



By ABC7 Staff | February 15, 2019 at 2:43 PM EST - Updated February 15 at 2:45 PM

"Four improvised areas of the City soon see long-term investment and job creation after being designated as “Qualified Opportunity Zones” under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, according to a release from the City of Sarasota."
"The program helps to revitalize low-income communities by providing tax advantages for private individuals and corporations who invest in an Opportunity Zone Fund. It encourages the private sector to reinvest capital gains from other investments into businesses and start-ups located in these Qualified Opportunity Zones, according to the release."
Poverty rates, family income, unemployment and other factors played a role in selecting the four zones in Sarasota.
For more information, visit SarasotaFL.gov or contact General Manager of Economic Development Steve Stancel at 941-316-8412.


Four areas of City of Sarasota designated ‘Opportunity Zones’ for investment


February 21, 2019 

Revitalization encouraged under aegis of federal program


This map shows the four zones. Image courtesy City of Sarasota

Four economically distressed areas of the city of Sarasota soon could see long-term investment and job creation after being designated “Qualified Opportunity Zones” under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the city has announced.
The federal program “helps to revitalize low-income communities by providing tax advantages for private individuals and corporations” that invest in an Opportunity Zone Fund, a city news release explains. The program “encourages the private sector to reinvest capital gains from other investments into businesses and start-ups located in these Qualified Opportunity Zones,” the release adds.

Click to read the full article:


__________________________________________________________________________

The Federal Government enacted major new legislation to spur economic development. Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing substantial tax benefits to investors. 
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IRS Info

Q. What is an Opportunity Zone?

A. An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Localities qualify as Opportunity Zones if they have been nominated for that designation by the state and that nomination has been certified by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury via his delegation of authority to the Internal Revenue Service.


Q. How were Opportunity Zones created?

A. Opportunity Zones were added to the tax code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017.

Q. Have Opportunity Zones been around a long time?

A. No, they are new. The first set of Opportunity Zones, covering parts of 18 states, were designated on April 9, 2018. Opportunity Zones have now been designated covering parts of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.  


Q. What is the purpose of Opportunity Zones?

A. Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool—that is, they are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities.


Q. How do Opportunity Zones spur economic development?

A. Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors. First, investors can defer tax on any prior gains invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) until the earlier of the date on which the investment in a QOF is sold or exchanged, or December 31, 2026. If the QOF investment is held for longer than 5 years, there is a 10% exclusion of the deferred gain. If held for more than 7 years, the 10% becomes 15%.  Second, if the investor holds the investment in the Opportunity Fund for at least ten years, the investor is eligible for an increase in basis of the QOF investment equal to its fair market value on the date that the QOF investment is sold or exchanged.


Q. What is a Qualified Opportunity Fund?

A. A Qualified Opportunity Fund is an investment vehicle that is set up as either a partnership or corporation for investing in eligible property that is located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone. 


Q. Do I need to live in an Opportunity Zone to take advantage of the tax benefits?

A. No. You can get the tax benefits, even if you don’t live, work or have a business in an Opportunity Zone. All you need to do is invest a recognized gain in a Qualified Opportunity Fund and elect to defer the tax on that gain.


Q. I am interested in knowing where the Opportunity Zones are located. Is there a list of Opportunity Zones available?

A. Yes. The list of designated Qualified Opportunity Zones can be found at Opportunity Zones Resources and in the Federal Register at IRB Notice 2018-48.  Further a visual map of the census tracts designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones may also be found at Opportunity Zones Resources.


Q: What do the numbers mean on the Qualified Opportunity Zones list, Notice 2018-48? 

A: The numbers are the population census tracts designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones.


Q: How can I find the census tract number for a specific address? 

A: You can find 11-digit census tract numbers, also known as GEOIDs, using the U.S. Census Bureau’s Geocoder.  After entering the street address, select ACS2015_Current in the Vintage drop-down menu and click Find.  In the Census Tracts section, you’ll find the number after GEOID.


Q. I am interested in forming a Qualified Opportunity Fund. Is there a list of Opportunity Zones available in which the Fund can invest?

A. Yes. The list of designated Qualified Opportunity Zones in which a Fund may invest to meet its investment requirements can be found at Notice 2018-48.


Q. How does a corporation or partnership become certified as a Qualified Opportunity Fund?

A. To become a Qualified Opportunity Fund, an eligible corporation or partnership self-certifies by filing Form 8996, Qualified Opportunity Fund, with its federal income tax return. Early-release drafts of the form and instructions are posted, with final versions expected in December. The return with Form 8996 must be filed timely, taking extensions into account.


Q: Can a limited liability company (LLC) be an Opportunity Fund?

A: Yes.  A LLC that chooses to be treated either as a partnership or corporation for federal tax purposes can organize as a Qualified Opportunity Fund.


Q.  I sold some stock for a gain in 2018, and, during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the sale, I invested the amount of the gain in a Qualified Opportunity Fund.  Can I defer paying tax on that gain?

A. Yes, you may elect to defer the tax on the amount of the gain invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. Therefore, if you only invest part of your gain in a Qualified Opportunity Fund(s), you can elect to defer tax on only the part of the gain which was invested.


Q. How do I elect to defer my gain on the 2018 sale of the stock?

A.  You may make an election to defer the gain, in whole or in part, when filing your 2018 Federal Income Tax return. That is, you may make the election on the return on which the tax on that gain would be due if you do not defer it. 


Q. I sold some stock on December 15, 2017, and, during the required 180-day period, I invested the amount of the gain in a Qualified Opportunity Fund.  Can I elect to defer tax on that gain?

A. Yes. You make the election on your 2017 return. Attach Form 8949, reporting Information about the sale of your stock. Precise instructions on how to use that form to elect deferral of the gain will be forthcoming shortly. 


Q. Can I still elect to defer tax on that gain if I have already filed my 2017 tax return?

A. Yes, but you will need to file an amended 2017 return, using Form 1040X and attaching Form 8949.


Q. How can I get more information about Opportunity Zones?

A. Over the next few months, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service will be providing further details, including additional legal guidance, on this new tax benefit. More information will be available at Treasury.gov and IRS.gov.

Enterprise Florida

CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN FLORIDA

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI’s mission is to expand and diversify the state’s economy through job creation. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

EFI’s activities have championed Florida as the premier location for business expansion and relocation, created a renewed interest both nationally and internationally in Florida as a top state for business, and resulted in a significant number of new jobs and capital investments.

Chairman: Honorable
Ron DeSantis
Governor, State of Florida

Joe York*
Vice-Chairman
Enterprise Florida recruits new business to the state, and works to retain and expand existing industry and business. EFI focuses its economic development efforts on a wide range of industry sectors, including aviation & aerospace, life sciences, information technology, defense & homeland security, clean energy, financial & professional services, manufacturing and beyond.
EFI is the state’s primary entity for trade and export development supporting more than 60,000 Florida exporting businesses. The organization also supports small and minority businesses through its capital programs. Another key aspect of EFI’s responsibilities is the marketing and promotion of Florida as a premier business destination.

Discussion With The Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Discussion on Economic Development

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)


"MEDA works at economic development on a global scale and the international hub does some quite excellent work. They are set up with local 'hubs' around the world and there is a small one here in Sarasota. We have an interest in learning how to support Sarasota and its citizens more so in their economic development needs - although again, in small ways, be it microloans or mentorship or otherwise."


CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDA

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Click To Type Your Thoughts / Concerns / Notes / Questions / Comments Here 



Contacts / Agencies in Sarasota and Florida


City of Sarasota

Focus on Redevelopment

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/government/planning/office-of-economic-development


https://www.sarasotafl.gov/government/planning/office-of-economic-development/ceo-community-entrepreneur-opportunity


 CONTACT OUR TEAM

 Steve Cover Director of Planning Steve.Cover@SarasotaFL.gov 941-263-6480
 Onya Bates Redevelopment Manager Onya.Bates@SarasotaFL.gov 941-263-6281
 Susan Dodd Redevelopment Manager Susan.Dodd@SarasotaFL.gov 941-263-6282
 John Moran Operations Manager, D.I.D. John.Moran@SarasotaFL.gov 941-724-5578
 Brandy Wiesner Operations Manager, B.I.D. Brandy.Wiesner@SarasotaFL.gov 941-266-7599

 Steve Stancel            Economic Development                 Steven.Stancel@sarasotafl.gov       941 263 6480


EDC Sarasota County

Overall Economic Development of All County

http://www.edcsarasotacounty.com


Lisa Krouse CEO

Erin Silk Vice President of Business Development Services

Destin Wells Vice President, Business Development dwells@edcsarasotacounty.com


Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

1680 Fruitville Road, Suite 402

Sarasota, Florida 34236

Office: (941) 309-1200 ext. 101  Fax:  (941) 309-1209





State of Florida

Focus on Major Projects For The State

https://www.flgov.com/governor%E2%80%99s-office-of-tourism-trade-and-economic-development/


https://www.stateofflorida.com/economic-development/


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Sarasota Sister Cities Economic Development

www.sarasotasistercities.com


Craig Hullinger 941 312 1032 sarasotasistercities@gmail.com


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Second Chance-Last Opportunity

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 1027, Sarasota, FL 34230 - in Newtown

1933 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota, FL 34234

April Glasco   aglasco63@gmail.com  (941) 360-8660

https://secondchancelastopportunity.org/

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Manasota SCORE

2801 Fruitville Road, Suite 280
Sarasota, FL 34237  Tel: (941) 955-1029 

_________________


Sarasota Area Chamber of Commerce

1945 Fruitville Road Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 955-8187   communications@sarasotachamber.com

https://www.sarasotachamber.com/

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Discussion - Economic Development in Sarasota

Sarasota Sister Cities Strategy


Sustainable “Green" Economic Development combines environmental improvement

and traditional economic development into one discipline. Traditional economic development

can be employed to increase employment while improving our environment. Economic

Development and “Green” Development should be synergistic, improving our overall quality of life.


Sustainable Development – Definitions


"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations

to meet their own needs." United Nations         

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/reviAew.htm


"We believe sustainable development begins at home and is supported by effective domestic policies,

and international partnerships. Self-governing people prepared to participate in an open world marketplace

are the very foundation of sustainable development." 

         US State Department    http://www.state.gov/g/oes/sus/


"We pledge to transmit this city not only not less, but far greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted

to us." Oath written by Pericles. From 594 to 404 B.C., literature, science, philosophy, and the arts flourished

in Athens. The birthplace of democracy had its golden age during the rule of statesman Pericles (c. 495-429 B.C.),

who made sweeping political reforms and actively supported the arts. Pericles is credited with the Athenian

oath of fealty.


"Leave your campground better than you found it." Scouting Principle.


“Leave your community better than you found it.” Our Principle.



Traditional Economic Development


The ongoing growth and improvement of the economy is critical for any community. Government

and the private sector work to enhance and expand business, jobs, and tax base. This is especially

important now during the "Great Recession" currently underway. A quality community requires full employment -

the opportunity for all citizens to earn a living while contributing to the entire society.


Economic development is the increase in the amount of people in a nation's population with sustained

growth from a simple, low-income economy to a modern, high-income economy. Its scope includes the

process and policies by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_development


Gonçalo L Fonsesca at the New School for Social Research defines economic development as "the

analysis of the economic development of nations.  http://www.newschool.edu/nssr/het/contact.htm


The University of Iowa's Center for International Finance and Development states that:  "'Economic

development' or 'development' is a term that economists, politicians, and others have used frequently

in the 20th century. The concept, however, has been in existence in the West for centuries. Modernization,

Westernization, and especially Industrialization are other terms people have used when discussing economic

development. Although no one is sure when the concept originated, most people agree that development is

closely bound up with the evolution of capitalism and the demise of feudalism. http://www.uiowa.edu/ifdebook/


The Canadian Center for Community Renewal defines “Community Economic Development as the process

by which local people build organizations and partnerships that interconnect profitable business with other

interests and values - for example, skills and education, health, housing, and the environment. In CED a lot

more people get involved, describing how the community should change. A lot more organizations look for ways

to make their actions and investments reinforce the wishes and intentions of the whole community. Business

becomes a means to accumulate wealth and to make the local way of life more creative, inclusive, and sustainable

- now and 20 or 30 years from now.” http://www.cedworks.com/CEDdefinition.html




Sustainable Economic Development

KISS (Keep it Sweet and Simple) 


Our simple rule set and acronym for sustainable economic development:


KEEP


Keep the businesses and jobs that you have

Expand the businesses you have

Enhance your community to attract new businesses

Protect and continuously improve the environment


Sustainable Economic Development is the art of keeping and expanding your businesses

while continually improving the Environment. As economic developers we provide information

and assistance to companies who create new jobs. We create the policies and incentives to

retain our existing businesses and support expansion. A good economic development office

strives to have the most comprehensive and current information available on the following

subject matter areas:


• Local demographics

• Quality of life

• Public infrastructure

• Business assistance

• Real estate

• Taxes, fees, regulations

• Market the community to targeted business industries


Both successful economic development and continuing improvement to the environment

are a hallmark of a quality community. Some people still think that economic development

is chasing smokestacks and that economic development hurts the environment.


But that view is outdated. Working intelligently, business and government can expand the

economy and retain and attract quality jobs while enhancing and improving the environment.



Sustainable Economic Development Strategy


Feel free to use this adapt this brief strategy to your own local situation.


VISION


Our communities will provide quality jobs at good wages while improving our environment.


Mission Statement


We are committed to providing an environment in which our natural resources, our people,

and our economy are balanced. We will not compromise the future by focusing solely on the

needs of today. We aspire to make our communities regional leaders who develop, promotes,

and improves the quality of our community through sustainable practices.


Mission Statement


The following are our recommended improvements to "Green" our communities that we

will pursue that are aimed at retaining and expanding our businesses and jobs:


· We will retain our existing businesses and jobs

· We will help our existing businesses expand

· We will attract new businesses

· Energy efficiency in all businesses is encouraged

· Developers are encouraged to create green buildings


· Mixed use development will be emphasized

· Historic buildings will be adaptively reused

· Walk ability of the city will be encouraged

· Incentives will be employed to support improvements

· Energy efficient buildings will be required


· Sedimentation and erosion controls will be enforced

· The ecology of waters edge areas will be enhanced

· Bike trails and racks will be emphasized

· Transit will be maintained

· Trees and natural landscaping will be planted


· Renewable energy sources will be sought

· Recycling will be supported

· Air and water quality will be improved

· We will ensure a just and fair society

· We will seek to provide jobs for all of our citizens


 

We will follow the principles below:


Promote efficient buildings

Use recycled material in buildings

Recycle building material waste

Encourage rain harvesting and irrigation

Use passive solar orientation of buildings


Encourage solar and wind energy systems

Employ green roofs

Support the use of natural landscaping

Improve municipal staff knowledge of “green” techniques

Support quality construction for long lived buildings


Encourage mixed use development

Support walk to work programs

Encourage development that supports transit

Support efforts to redevelop older communities

Permit Live / Work Space development


Support natural open space and parks

Use open surface natural drainage where feasible

Design wetlands, drainageways and retention into parks

Support the local production of “green” technology equipment

Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian path


Minimize pavement widths & cost & material

Update codes to encourage “green” development

Encourage geothermal energy

Require street trees

Sustainable Land Use Planning



Smart Growth

 

Growth presents a tremendous opportunity for progress and change.

Communities around the country are looking for methods to optimize development

and to amend zoning rules that make it difficult to place workplaces, homes, and

services closer together. Citizens are faced with economic pressures and seek ways

to save on car and gas use and on commuting time.


To address these challenges we must make a commitment to sustainable land use

planning, often called "smart growth." Taking steps such as preserving open space,

providing a variety of transportation choices, encouraging compact building designs

and creating walk able communities will help the city choose smart growth strategies

that encourage social, cultural and physical activity. Smart growth is a way to offer

more choices to citizens in terms of deciding where to live, how to get around, and

will protect the environment while stimulating economic growth.


Sustainable Economic Development operates within a social and economic context.

Smart growth also strongly supports the revitalization and/or redevelopment of established

and emerging urban neighborhoods. It promotes neighborhood-centric activity centers

that employ a smart growth development template that integrates a mix of uses, multi-modal

circulation options, public spaces and other elements.


Environmental sustainability is a part of this operation and is best achieved when integrated

with other components. A sustainable economic development organization seeks to participate

within its community, integrate economic development with environmental protection, and

minimize the impacts of development on the community. Through seeking balance, an

organization will take into account the needs of future generations.


With financial difficulties and environmental concerns facing the global and national economy,

we will place a high priority on sustainable economic development, energy efficiency, and

responsible growth management.


CONCLUSION


Sustainable Economic Development will be the standard for future economic development

and “green” environmental improvement efforts. We can and will improve our environment

while providing jobs and tax base for our community.


This Article Can Be Found At:


http://sustainableeconomicdevelopment.blogspot.com


References


http://greencitydevelopment.blogspot.com

http://sustainableeasternwillcounty.blogspot.com

http://riverssedgeredevelopmentiniative.blogspot.com

http://rivertraildrive.blogspot.com

http://greenedgepeoria.blogspot.com

http://greenpeoria.blogspot.com

http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com/

http://greencitydevelopment.blogspot.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development

http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com/

http://greencitydevelopment.blogspot.com/

http://peoriastrategy.blogspot.com/

http://www.renaissanceparkpeoria.com/

http://www.ilapa.org/news/2010/Apr10/greeninf.html

https://sistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Measures-that-Matter.pdf

Craig Hullinger is the Vice President of Economic Development forn Sarasota Sister Cities. He has 40 years of experience in economic development, city planning, and transportation planning. He is a Partner in the consulting firm Ruyle Hullinger and Associates. He was formerly Planning Director of Will County and a Village Manager for several communties. He was the Economic Development Director of the City of Peoria, Illinois, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and Lamda Alpha. He publishes a number of blogs on economic development, planning, and sustainability which can be found at http://craighullinger.com/. He can be contacted at craighullinger@gmail.com or sarasotasistercities@gmail.com or by phone at 941 312 1032.




Powerpoint Presentations
Sarasota Sister Cities
These Were Made to Sarasota Sister Cities



 

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Discussion Items


EB-5  

americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/eb-5-visa-program-what-it-and-how-it-works


Import / Export - Lessor Developed Countries could export arts and crafts to a business created with EB-5 - an entreprenuer from the LDC sets up shop in a redevelopment area, imports goods from the LDC, also sells by catalogue.


Medical Services - Sarasota is a center of medical service because of our large retirement population and excellent health care services, especially geriatric. We could market the region for medical services for persons from other countries with less robust medical servics - ala Mayo Clinic.


Tourism - Sarasota is a major center for tourism.  Anything we can do to facilitate this helps our economy. Cultural tourism emphasizing our musems and arts in addition to the warmth and seaside. Smaller cultural venues that coiuld be popular.  New York has the major facilities in the US, but we have great culture on a smaller more intimate scale.  


Transportation - We have reviewed the 2070 Plan for the Sarasota Manatee County Metropolitan Planning Area (MPO). We advocate for a more detailed and aggressive development of the grid road system - interconnect and extend roads where possible. Show them on the map and aggressively develop them. 



Proposals


Animation Video - Ringling to produce tourism animation to market Florida and Sarasota  https://animationsarasota.blogspot.com/


Improve our Parks  https://honorepark.blogspot.com/


Create a Town Square in Sarasota  http://sarasotatownsquare.blogspot.com/


Gift Catalogue for Sarasota   https://giftsforsarasota.blogspot.com/


Green Sculpture   https://sarasotagreensculpture.blogspot.com/


Merida Sarasota ED  https://sarasotameridaeconomicdevelopment.blogspot.com/




Discussion - Possible Joint Efforts MEDA and SSC Economic Development




 

 

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